Don was born in Edmore, Michigan to Claudian Dot Manley Houck and Earl Alonzo Houck on May 11, 1940. As a child in the 1950s, he worked as a ranch hand on Rickenbacker Ranch in Kerrville, Texas to help his family survive the economic hardship they faced.
After graduating from Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas, Don began his higher education at Howard Payne College where he played football as an offensive center. Don left Howard Payne to move to Fort Worth, where he worked for Texas Steel.
While working at Texas Steel, he decided to pursue completing his degree at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. After graduating, he worked 47 years in education as a history teacher and track and football coach. He impacted the lives of many students at Haltom, Sam Houston, and Bowie High Schools, and Haltom, Hutcheson, and Nichols Junior High Schools. Don spent his final teaching years at Venture Alternative School in Arlington, Texas where he helped students who were in jeopardy of falling behind in their education.
He married Patricia LaDean Parsons on December 5, 1981 in Haltom City, Texas. Don and LaDean, taught Christian Leaders and Speakers Seminars “CLASS” for Florence Littauer, led numerous marriage conferences, and impacted struggling marriages and families through their ministries, Blended Blessings and The Noah Project. Together with LaDean, he co-authored two books, “Remarried with Children” and “The Ex Factor”.
Don loved to read, and as a sports enthusiast, he loved all sports. He especially enjoyed spending time playing golf with his wife, sons, and grandsons. He was an innovative teacher and he devoted his life to his family and serving others. Many of his students said they enjoyed his story-telling style in the classroom.
Don was vice president of Jackets for Jesus at Howard Payne, sponsored Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and taught Sunday school. He was a member of Texas Retired Teachers Association, a life-time member of Texas State Teachers Association, and was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ throughout his years.
Don is survived by his loving wife, LaDean Houck; sons David (Keely) Houck, Paul Houck, and Trey (Melissa) Gunter; sister Alice Harley and brother, Jim Houck. Additional survivors include five grandchildren, Kalese (Ryan) Hall, Michael (Brittany) Houck, Kalen (Lindsey) Houck, Isabelle Gunter and Mia Gunter; 12 great-grandchildren, Jonah, Elias and Selah Hall, Luke, Lydia, Asa, Asher and Titus Houck, and Layla, Mark, Noelle and Micah Houck; niece Ann Harley; nephews, John Harley, Paul Pharris (Kym), and other great nieces and nephews.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Claudian Dot Manley Houck and Earl Alonzo Houck, his sister Patricia Pharris and his brother Rick Houck.
A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 3, 2023 at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park. Marcus Brecheen of Gateway Church and Gene Carter will officiate. An inurnment will follow at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will precede the service at 2:00 p.m. also at the funeral home.
Those wishing to honor Don may donate to the Alzheimer’s Association through the Northeast Tarrant Walk: tinyurl.com/HouckDonation or via a mailed check to their Fort Worth office at 2630 West Freeway#100, Fort Worth, TX 76102.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.bluebonnethills.com for the Houck family.
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